Low volume autoclave having configurable shape

Abstract

An autoclave may be reconfigured to accommodate differently shaped parts by relatively rotating portions of the autoclave.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. An autoclave, comprising:
 a pressure vessel with a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first end which is sealed and a second end, and the second portion having a third end which is sealed and a fourth end; and 
 a circumferential joint connecting the second end of the first portion and the fourth end of the second portion, the first and second portions defining an interior configured for accepting a part, the circumferential joint being configured to create an angle between the first and second portions and further creating a cavity with a seal, the cavity facilitating an insertion of the part into the interior, and the seal enabling pressurization of the interior, the circumferential joint allows the autoclave to rotationally unlock while a portion of the second end and the fourth end remain connected. 
 
     
     
       2. The autoclave of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are conical portions with bases of the conical portions joined by the circumferential joint. 
     
     
       3. The autoclave of  claim 1 , wherein the angle is variable. 
     
     
       4. The autoclave of  claim 1 , further including a tubular insert between the first portion and the circumferential joint for extending the cavity. 
     
     
       5. The autoclave of  claim 1 , wherein the part is a single piece composite swept wing skin or swept horizontal stabilizer, including at least one of a sweep angle and a dihedral angle. 
     
     
       6. The autoclave of  claim 1 , wherein the circumferential joint is substantially in a middle of the autoclave. 
     
     
       7. A low volume autoclave, comprising:
 a pressure vessel having a joint between a first portion with a first longitudinal axis and a second portion with a second longitudinal axis, the first portion and the second portion each defining a portion of an internal cavity for accepting a part, the joint creating an angle between the first longitudinal axis of the first portion and the second longitudinal axis of the second portion, the joint having a seal to facilitate increased pressure and heat within the pressure vessel when the pressure vessel is configured in a closed position, the joint is configured to allow the autoclave to rotationally unlock while a portion of the first portion and the second portion remain connected; and 
 a transport system for movably opening and closing the pressure vessel by separating the first portion from the second portion at the joint, the transport system configured to insert and remove the part from the internal cavity. 
 
     
     
       8. The autoclave of  claim 7 , wherein the joint includes a first cog with mating teeth that engage a second cog with complementary slots to facilitate locking the first portion to the second portion when the pressure vessel is in the closed position. 
     
     
       9. The autoclave of  claim 7 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are substantially conical portions with bases of the conical portions joined by the joint, further comprising a swept joining portion that includes the joint, the joint having a circular profile that facilitates rotation of one of the substantially conical portions to adjust the angle between the first longitudinal axis of the first portion and the second longitudinal axis of the second portion. 
     
     
       10. An autoclave for processing differently shaped, elongate parts, comprising:
 a first portion; 
 a second portion axially rotatable relative to the first portion; 
 a locking mechanism for locking the first and second portions together in any of a plurality of axial rotational positions; and 
 a joint connecting the first portion and the second portion, the joint configured to allow the autoclave to rotationally unlock while a portion of the first portion and the second portion remain connected, and expose an interior of the autoclave for insertion of the part into the interior of the autoclave via the joint. 
 
     
     
       11. The autoclave of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first and second portions includes first and second substantially circular bases and a curved centroid line extending between centers of the bases. 
     
     
       12. The autoclave of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first and second portions includes first and second substantially circular bases and the first base has a diameter larger than that of the second base. 
     
     
       13. The autoclave of  claim 11 , wherein a first center of the first base is laterally offset from a second center of the second base along a line extending through the first center and being substantially perpendicular to the first base. 
     
     
       14. The autoclave of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second bases respectively lie in a first plane and second plane, and wherein the first plane is different than the second plane. 
     
     
       15. The autoclave of  claim 11 , wherein one of the first and second portions includes an end cap forming an airtight closure on one end of the autoclave. 
     
     
       16. The autoclave of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first and second portions includes a door through which a part may be inserted into the autoclave. 
     
     
       17. The autoclave of  claim 11 , wherein the shape of the first portion is one of:
 a frusto-circular cone, 
 a right circular cylinder, 
 a curved cylinder, and 
 a frustum having a curved central axis. 
 
     
     
       18. An autoclave having a configurable internal volume for processing any of a plurality of differently shaped parts, comprising:
 a plurality of portions respectively having differing internal volume shapes; and 
 corresponding joints between at least certain adjacent portions of the plurality of portions, the corresponding joints each configured to allow the certain adjacent portions to rotate relative to each other, the joint allows the autoclave to rotationally unlock while the adjacent portions remain connected. 
 
     
     
       19. The autoclave of  claim 18 , wherein the joint includes a locking mechanism for locking the certain adjacent portions together in any of a plurality of axial rotational positions. 
     
     
       20. The autoclave of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a brace coupled between the certain adjacent portions for securing the certain adjacent portions against movement relative to each other when the autoclave is pressurized. 
 
     
     
       21. The autoclave of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the plurality of portions includes first and second substantially circular bases and a curved central axis extending between the bases, wherein a first center of the first base is laterally offset from a second center of the second base along a line extending through the first center and being substantially perpendicular to the first base. 
     
     
       22. A pressure vessel comprising two or more mating sections, the two or more mating sections comprising corresponding section envelopes, the corresponding section envelopes having corresponding surfaces of rotation around corresponding geometric axes of rotation, wherein a given axis of rotation for a given pair of adjacent section envelopes meets at a given angle, the given angle being between about 90 degrees and about 180 degrees, wherein the two or more mating sections each terminate geometrically to corresponding circular contours, the corresponding circular contours comprising corresponding mating borders for adjacent mating sections, wherein the corresponding circular contours lay in corresponding planes that form corresponding substantially equal angles with the corresponding geometric axes of rotation for ones of adjacent mating sections, and wherein the corresponding circular contours comprise corresponding locking mechanisms that are each configured to rotationally lock and unlock with each other. 
     
     
       23. The pressure vessel of  claim 22 , wherein the corresponding locking mechanisms are configured to be locked or unlocked using a rifle bolt action such that the corresponding locking mechanisms are configured to unlock up on rotation, and to cause the adjacent mating sections to open upon the corresponding locking mechanisms being drawn back. 
     
     
       24. The pressure vessel of  claim 22 , wherein adjacent ones of the two or more mating sections are configured to be rotated along corresponding geometric axes of rotation in opposite angular directions until planes of their terminating circular contours become substantially co-planar. 
     
     
       25. The pressure vessel of  claim 24 , wherein the adjacent ones of the two or more mating sections are configured to be connected and locked together once their terminating circular contours become substantially co-planar.